Food handling apparatus



March 28, 1939.l D. A. MEEK'ER- ETAL y 2,151,862

FOOD HANDLING APPARATUS K Filed May 29, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet l MMM 901V ATTORNEY Mmh 2s, 1939.k D, A, MEEKER ET AL, 2,151,562

FOOD HANDLING APPARATUS Filed May 29, 1953 ",5 Sheets-Sheet 2 A Pi E. 8

INVENTOR By M GW ATTORNEY March 28, 1939.

D. A. MEEKER ET AL.

FOOD HANDLING APPARATUS Filed May 29, 1933 INVENTCRA BYAn/f/vv ATTORNEY D. A. ylmriEKEFz ET AL FOOD HANDLING APPARATUS Filed May 29, 1953 5' sheets-sheet 4 1F11 En 5 202 l 68 60 15/ y n INVENTOR lo 48 63 I ,6M-, 66 By ,L @JW 1F 1L I Mm Ha a ATTORNEY March 28, 1939. D. A. Mr-:EKER ET ALK 2,151,862

f n Foon HANDLING APPARATUS FTed-May 29, 1935 l 5 sheetsfsheet 5 o Patented Mar 1939 PATENT LOFI-lcEf l 'Vroon HANnLrNe .ailraizri'rusl David A.,Meeker and John C. Slager, Troy, Ohio,

assignors to TheHobart Manufacturing Comv 'pany, Troy, Qhio, a, corporation of Ohio Application May 29,1933, Serial No. 673,444 'I zo cranes. (ci. 14s-402) A invention relates to foodhandling equipment andmoreparticularly to a slicing machine vof the type adapted to slice meat andthe like'.

One of the principal objects of the invention isto provide a light weight slicing machine whichy ls'simple in construction and eiiicient and .effective in operation'. l

Another object isto provide inexpensive4 construction vof slicing machine which lis eiective top revent food particles from getting underneath the base of the machine or upon conv f nectedoperating part`s thereof to cause an unsanitary condition. A

A further object is adjusting mechanism fo'r the gage plate of such a machine, whichD is simple and strong in conystruction. easy and accurate in'operation and veiiectiveto prevent access of food particles, etc.,

thereinto or therethrough.

It is a furtherv objectto provide'means for supporting the carriage and for 'shielding the said supporting means while providing that the carriage'can be quickly` and easily detached for vcleaning purposes or when itis desiredto use the machine without a carriage. 1

Itis a further object to provide a slicing machine having the slice tray positioned so low with,

ireference'to ther cuttingv arc of the knife that v standard trays suchv as are used by butchers,

may be placed o-n the slice tray in position such that the sliced material will rally directly there- Other objects and'advantages willbe apparent from thedetailed description,theaccompanylng Fig. 3 is fa view inelevation from the rear side' ofthe machine;

Fig. 4 is a vertical I of Fig. l, certain parts being broken away to more clearly show'the construction; Fig. 5 is a plan viewr at the knife end of the machine,r the upper parts being broken away on Fig. 7 is a detail View sho-wing the construction of the pusher plate;

Fig. 8 is a detail view-showing one. of the flexible and frictional supporting members;

to provide mountingfiand this sectional view. on line 4-4 4 Fig.y 9 is a vertical sectiontaken onthe line 9- 9ofFig.6;f l

i' x Fig. 10 is av partialwertical section taken on the line llll0 of-Fig. 2;y

lI--Il of Fig. 6.; f

Fig. 12 isv a fragmentary view showingthe pusher plate latched up in inoperative position; Fig. 13 is a sectional view o f thev grinding? unit taken on the line l3--l3 ofFig.'2; and

Fig. 14 is a plan view of the grinding unit, the f case being broken away to disclose the mechanism to Abetter advantage. In copending application Serial No. 422,746, filed January 23,1930, now Patent No. 1,944,181, 15 dated January 23, 1934, and assigned Ato the same assignee asy this application,y there is shownk a. lslicing machine having provision for insuring that a maximum of sanitation is obtained, and to end a'base is provided about which there 20 extends a peripheral flexible sealing strip which is adapted to rest in contact with the supporting surface. The present invention, however, is directed to a less expensive, light weight machine "in which the"relatively expensivefsealing conrstruction of thisprior invention is not used, butv an eiective seal is provided nevertheless so that' .food particles'fcan not get under the base, either through the machine' or from the outside to' produce an unsanitary condition under the base, a 301 partof'the machine which may be seldom finspected or cleaned. Furthermore the same construction makes. ity practically impossible for any contaminating material that should be under the f base, to come into contact 4with the food being 35 n characterstics,'and at the'same time in anv in- 4U 'expensive manner.

Referring to rthe drawings which disclose a preferred embodiment 'of the invention, there isshown a main base member l0. This member is f provided with a downwardly turned integral peripheral ange I I v extending entirely around the same, which iiang'e serves to provide an .effective seal and to prevent access of material underneaththe base. The base is provided vwith forwardly extending portions I2 and I3, integrally '5o y formed therewith and with' a portion I4 adapted f to form the support for the motor assembly. The .'top surface of the base is also slightly dislied/asv lshown at l5 for the purpose of serving as a slice tray. Inasmuch as the slice tray islocated very i y' Fig.1 1 isa partial vertical section von 4line 5 close to the table top or'other surface on which the machine is placed, it is practically impossible for the material when sliced to slide off the tray,

weight as compared with previous machines of this character.

It has beenfound with a light weight machine of this type, that incident to the reciprocating motion of the work past the cutting knife, the machine is apt to slide, especially when mounted upon one of the usual` supporting surfaces, such-` as a smooth surface of glass, vitrolite, enamel, or the like. In order to overcome this tendency, means having a greater coefficient of friction than the base, comprisinga plurality of frictional elements, are provided, one of which is indicated at I6; Fig. 8. The base is provided with a machined surface Il, and a downwardly extending lug I8 stopping short of the peripheral base flange Ii. The member i6 is preferably a rubber washer of suitable resiliency frictionally mounted ,Qnl'the part I8 so that its lower face when uncompressed extends below the peripheral flange l I as indicated. When, however, the machine is placed upon a support, the frictional member i6 first engages the support and is deformed untily the i flange Il rests upon thesupport. In this way a portiononly of the weight is carried by the frictional member I6 and the remainder is carried by the peripheral flange. 'I'his portion of the weight, however, is suicient to give increasedfrictional effect Iand it is found that this eliminates any objectionable sliding'motion in the normal operation of the machine.. Preferably' three such supports are provided, two being located under the heavier end of the machine, and the third being located under the oppositeend as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 2. The proportion of the weight 'carried by the 'frictional' member to that carried by the peripheral flange can bev easily varied in any case by changing the relative depth of the machined face l1 as compared with the peripheral flange, or by changing the resiliency characteristics of the friction'al members. Itis preferred to so proportion these parts that the major part of the weight is carried by the frictional members and a minor part by the peripheral flange; in this way suiiicient weight is carried by the flange to make it an effective seal and the frictional effect is increased to a maximum.

If desired the same projection i8 may be provided with internal screw threads I9 to provide for mounting the'device when it is shipped, or to be attached permanently to a base or table, suitable attaching screws being inserted through the base and the machine being bolted thereto in'this manner.` The use of three such supports 4 is of particularl advantage insofar as the shipping of the machine is lconcernedl as it prevents the twisting strains in shipment producing any destructive or damaging twisting or torsion of the machine base, when it is supported in this manner.

The base carries a main frame member, a portion of which forms a motor support 20. This main frame ymay be similarly cast of the light weight alloy, and the motor assembly 2i is mounted directly thereon, a suitable motor control switch 22 being positioned in the support. The motor assembly 2l is provided with an integral housing 23 which also covers the extended end 24 of the motor shaft which carries a driving worm 25,

Extending at right angles to the motor shaft and likewise journaled in the `housing 23is a knife shaft 2E, supported in spaced antifriction bearings 2'|,\the knife shaft being provided with a gear` 28 meshing in driving relationship with the motor worm gear 25. A remoyable plate 29 attached to the housing 23 provides ready access to the above described driving connections.

A rotary slicing knife 30 is fastened to the overhanging end of the knife shaft 26 which likewise carries suitable sealingmeans 3| preventing escape of the lubricant. Thisrotary knife is formed with a beveled peripheral portion 32 on ,its rearward side and a recess 33 on its forward face.` v

42 resting upon forwardly` extending portions I2. and l3frespectively of the base.

On its forward side the cover-portion 4B is formed with a downwardly turned flange 44. This housing or cover plate is without holes or perforations throughout its extent, with the exception of the portion pro- .viding for the support of the gage plate, which construction will be described more in detail hereafter.

The guard plate 45 is provided with outwardly turned feet 46 fitting over pins 41 projecting from the cover section 40, thereby providing a removable attaching vmeans for the bottom of the guard plate, holding it in operative position. The guard plate fits within the recess 33 of the knife so that 'the outer face of the plate and the knife are substantially iiush. As shown in Fig. 4, the cover 40'slopes downwardly and toward the rear where it passes under the rotary knife, to provide a collecting trough 48, the purpose being to cause the passage of any particles of food or the like from the front of the machine toward the rear thereof so that the cleaning of the machine is facilitated and all the particles can be collected fromithe same side of the machine. It will also beseen that the guard plate is positioned very close to the knife face and likewise extends below the knife throughout the extent of the trough as shown at 49. Inr this way the guard plate serves to protectthe knife and to 'serve as both a front and a rear guard so that the hand of the operatorV engaged in wiping out the trough 48 will not come in contact with the knife.

A slice deflecting plate 50 is mounted upon the motor housing 23 by means of a pivot 5i. This slice deflectingplate is formed with a fiat portion which extends substantially perpendicularly toward the rotary knife and adJacent the rear face of the knife the plate is formed with a semioonically ,curved portion 52. This conically curved portion is so formed that the base of the cone lies closely adjacent the rear face of the knife, radially inward of the beveled portion 32 thereof and with the axis of the cone substanterminates in an inwardly offset section 52b adjacent the slicetray l5.

ing substantially horizontal, tapering downwardly toward face 53, and fitting within a recess 54 in the main frame and resulting in the production of a substantially flushv rear `face. A spring detent 50a serves toyieldingly hold the -plate in operative position in conjunction with a stud A50b xed on the fmotor housing, but'prodeflectorplateY and the trough are providedY in many slicing operations.

vides for swinging theplate out of operative position inY order to clean the device. The conlcally curved portion 52 of the deflector is back of the active cutting arc of the knife and radially inward of the beveled portion thereof, and theI f curvature givenl to it is such 'that as` the slice being cut moves into contactl with it, the ad` vancing.v portion of the top rof the slice is deflectedfoutwardly and downwardly to cause the ,y .slice to curl overpas it is being severed, in such manner that it will fall flat Vupon the slice receiving tray. This is a particularly desirable action The construction is further of particular ad Vantage `in that the lower part of the deflecting plate is offset inwardly so as to provide additional space, orv a pocket directly over the slice tray for the vplacing of a receiving receptacle.v If a receiving tray is used overgthe'slice tray I5, such receiving tray may be placed closely adjacent the rear side of the knife with the square corner ofthe tray extending into the pocket. The conlcally curved portion does not extend down far enough to contact the edge of a'tray of usual depth'but serves to deflect the sliced material intothe trayin Y the manner described above. Similarly if it is de` sired -to slice into the hand, the hand may be placed with the fingers extending into the pocket and the curved part of the plate will cause thew tioning of a receiving means. Theplate may be swung away from its operative position for cleanc ing purposesas shown in'Fig. 5 and to provide accessto trough 48 for similar cleaning. vThe l i vthroughout with smooth surfaces and are free of corners or pockets in which material could lodge.

A pair of guide rods 55 and 56, arranged substantialy horizontally, are supported from opposite ends of said'cover member 40 and adapted to underlie the cover in spaced relation so that' they are entirely' concealed andl protected against access 'of any material from above the cover. Suitable bumpers 51 of flexible material are provided adjacent the endsiof these rods to serve' as'v abutinents for the travelling carriage.

A carriage supporting member is slidably x mounted upon said rods and is provided with a forward portion 6| adapted to extend laterally beyond the flange 44 of said cover. The supporting member comprises a bearing portion 62 Vsliclably mounted upon rod 55, saidbearing being formed integrally With the support. A separate bearing member 63 is slidably mounted upon rod 56 and a connection is provided between the two bearing members which permits a limited movement therebetween to permitvariations due to inaccuracies in alignment or the like. This connection The plate is also formed withk a section 53 lying practically-parallel' with the knife and the top surface thereof besition.'

comprises a forwardly extendingpin 64 fastened to the support 6U and extending within a hole 65 in the" bearing member 63. This pin is provided with a central .enlarged section 66of substantially the sizeof thehole adapted to bear against the Awalls of the` slot-to firmly support the device but permitting of a slight relative movementbetween the two bearing members.

As indicated in Fig. '4, the top section of .each

Aof the bearing members 62 and 63 is lcut away over a portin thereof to providev a surface lfor contacting withian oiling wick 61 extending down into areservoir isuembodie'd Within ythe support 60, said wick adapted to overlie veachof the rods The outlying supporting face 6| of the car-r riage supportis provided, in addition to the -verticallypositioned supporting face, with a horizontalsupporting face 1I. A pin-12 having van enlarged head ismounted in the face 6| adjacent the bottom therfeof -and'extends outwardly therefrom.

This construction provides forA very readily assembling'and removing the work* carriage, indicated generally at 13. The carriage is provided with a downwardly extending supporting section 14 and a work-holding section 15. The section 14 is .provided with cooperatinghorizontal and vertical supporting faces, and likewise is formed with a centrally located slot 16 which can be slipped ovef the pin 12. The enlarged head .of

l the pin therefore, in conjunction with the several cooperating faces von the support, serves to temporarilyy hold the'carriage in operativeposition. As soon as the carriage has been placed in` this position, it is firmly attached to the support by means of thumb screws 11 which bolt the carriage rmlyftorthe support. It is not necessary, however, to support the weight of the carriage while it is attempted to insert the thumb screws, as it is only necessary to interlock the pin 12 and the f several cooperating faces whereuponV the carriage will be ,supported in position with the parts aligned to receive the thumb screws. The screws are 'then'easily inserted and tightened and the carriage is then firmly supported in operating po- The entire carriage is likewise formed prefer y ably of a unitary casting of light weight material. l The operator usually'stands-,at the left hand end,

facing 'the machine, as it is viewed in Fig. 1, and the work platform 15 slopes upward at arelativeyly small angle away from the operators end or toward the right as the "machine is viewed in Fig. 1. The carriage is formed with an upwardly extending face 18,'adjacent the operators end and forming vwith the platform 15 a work holding trough, the faces of which are-substantially per `thumb to pull the carriage toward the operator when it is desired to reciprocate the plate directly Y or to feed the work by handwithout using a pusher plate. f

The sloping work platform 15 ofthe carriage is formedwith integral flugs 8| in ywhich is mounted a cross bar 82./ This bar'serves-asa support forv a pusher plate indicated generally at 83. The pusher plate carries a pluralityof.V

, of the plate and isformed with an encircling flange 83d which serves to prevent access of ma- V terial and to maintain the sanitary character of theV machine.It will be understood that with Vthis construction substitute plates having Vdifferent shapes or work engaging `surfaces maybe readilysubstituted if desired. Y y

The bracket `isv attached to a `pusher plate shaft 84 which extends through a carrying arm `85, this arm being `slidably and rotatably mounted upon the cross shaft 82. The pusher plate shaft 84 is extended beyond the arm'85 to provide a support for the handle 86 which is retained in place thereon by meansv of a cap 81 fastened overl the end of the shaft Bland retaining a smallcompression spring 88 in place in a recess formedin the end of the handle. The

' spring 88 preventing access of material to these handle 88 `is fastened to the shaft 84 by means of a feather key 88 so that the rotation of the vhandle causes rotation of wthe shaft 'and `the the shaft being free to turn in its carrying. arm 85'. Suitable washersil are positioned'at each end of arm 85 andthe parts are heldin close contact against the washers by pusher plate,

. parts.

The work,V engaging face of the pusher plate is formed with means which offers a greater resistance,` tomovement of the work material away from'its normal position than to movement of ther work toward such normal position. The normal position ofthe work is closely in contact with the face 18 of the work supporting carriage so that it will be firmly held during the slicing operation and will not turn or move as the work progresses which would result in uneven or fraying out of the ends ofthe piece. This means comprises a plurality of VIteeth or ribs, preferably formed integrally `onthe face of the `pusher plate having an inclinedrface 9|, and a substantially perpendicular face 92.' The effect of such ribs is to offer little resistance to the movement of the work toward normal position adjacent face 18 of the carriage, but to Voppose movement away from normal position. The tendencymtherefore is for the work to move toward Vand to be securely held against the facev18 of the carriage. Cleaning of the pusher plate is very easily accomplished by merelyV wiping across the face with a cleaning rag, preferably in strokes parallel with the ribs whereby the entire face may be readily cleaned.

The bottom of the pusher plate is provided with downwardly extending work holding teeth 93 for gripping the work. vRunners 94. extend'` ing below the teeth, prevent contact of the teeth -with the platform 15.`

The pusher plate is supported from the end of the carriage remote from the operator and by reason -of the upward slope of the carriage, the pusher plate handle is raised to such an extent that there is little or no interference with the hand of the operator from the adjacent face of the carriage. Consequentlyv he can convenfiently hold the pusher plate while reciprocating the carriage.

An extension 95 is formed on the carrying arm and is adapted to cooperate withY the two faces slices,

of a lug'SS integrally formedupon the forward 95 would contact with forward face 91 ,of the lug 9E to prevent further movement thereof. Only by lowering the pusher plate into the carriage, where it would not strike any of the operating parts of the machine,` could it be advanced to its extreme inner position. However, when in such inner position, an extensive raising movement of the pusher plate will bring lug into engagement with the face 98 of the lug to preventany movement of the pusher plate out ofthe carriage at such a point that it might strike other, parts of the device.

In addition, a stud |00 is screwed into the carriage and is adapted to cooperate with the extension to hold the pusher plate in inoperative position, out of the workcarriage, when it is desired for instance to feed the material by hand. The inoperative position of the pusher plate is shown in Fig. 12, with the extension 95 engaged behind pin |00. The position of the plate at this time is such that the carriage can `be given its full reciprocating motion and the pusher plate will not strike any other part of the machine, nor interfere with the desired hand `feeding operation.

tray, the gage plate is so mounted that its mechanism is `entirely to one side of the slice tray.

'For this 4purpose it is supported from the forward side of the machine and is mounted intermediate the work carriage `and the slide rods for supporting the same.

The gage plate is shown at I i and is attached l to a base member ill. For the purpose of attaching the plate to the base, an auxiliary strip H2 is positioned adjacent the plate at the lower and rearward side thereof, the plate being provided With extended slots H3 which permit of the 4necessary longitudinal adjustment of the plate with respect to the cutting knife so as to give the desired clearance.

As indicated in Fig. 2, the gage plate supporting base ls substantially triangular in -shape and ,is adapted to overlie a similarly shaped raised section l|5 on the cover member 4U. The lower ,face of the base member iii and the cooperating upper face il5`of the cover 40 are finished so that a close sliding fit of these parts is obtained whereby downward passage of the food particles through the cover is prevented. The parts are also so closely fitted ,as to be in subs tantially lubricant sealed relationship.

The cover member 40 is provided with angularly extending slot portions H6 and H1 located -on opposite sides of a central depressed web portion H8. The base member lil is provided with a cooperating downwardly extending key section IIB which is adapted to have sliding engagement with the sides Ii8i of the cover section to provide for sliding movement of the base and associated gage plate in a predetermined path. The parts are so arranged that thismovement takes place at an angle of substantially 30 degrees with'respect to a line drawn perpendicular to the face of the gage plate. This provides for the desired lengthening of the clearance between the gage plate and the knife as the thickness of the slice is increased. The key` f 4 0`by neans of bolts |29. A verticalface |30 ofV v Vthe bracket'is adapted to have guiding' engagement with a cooperating face of the cam plate vand to provide an adjustment for taking up wear H9` is recessed as shown at |20 to reduce the for holding the arm ata predetermined'positionl quantity of metal at this point.

between the base and the cam plate.

Azcam plate is bolted to the underside of base |I| by means of bolts |26. linv addition a dowel sleeve |21 is provided forl the purpose of maintaining accurate predetermined relationship The un- I derside of thecover is formed, in vaddition to towardthe cam plate to take up for wear, the pins theweb |||3vvith depending shoulders lab, lyl ing, atv each sidek of the slotted portions.- The shouldersyare nished andlin conjunction with kthe cam plate |25, provide a strong mounting kforthe gageplatenand base, preventing any tilting`thereof..

A bracket |28 is bolted to the underside of cover in the-slidable gage plate members. For this purpose a pluralityofdowel pins |30a are positioned in the ylower side of the cover which engage in a groove |301) Iin bracket |28.`- The Aholes in the bracket 'for bolts .|29 'are elongated so that upon loosening the bolts, the bracket may be moved |30a maintaining proper alignment of the bracket. The bracket also is formed'with a vdepending portion |3| adapted to support the adjacent end of slide-rod' 56. l

yItvvill be understood therefore that-the base is adapted to have a Asliding movement in the slots ||6,"|`|1 and i'sat all times supportedin'correct position" therein through'the cooperation of the sidewalls of the slots with the sidewalls of the key II9, as well as by the cooperation of the cam plate. |25.with 'brac'ket |28, and tilting movement is prevented through thecoaction ofthe shoulders ||8b with the camv plate |25. f y j Further means are provided for guiding and assuring predetermined alignment of the-gage platev lduring this movement, thismeanscomprising a depending guiding pin |32 located adjacent. the other` inner angle of the triangular'base, the pin |32 extending" downthrough a `slot |33 in the cover member-wand being provided vwith a.

" washer |34 which overlies` the sides of the slot,

thereby assuring that movement of the gage plate `will take place in the desired'angular'position and without incurring vany danger of misalignment thereof during movement.v Y

Means are likewise provided for imparting the desired adjusting 'motion to the gage plate and lforretaining the gage plate in predetermined adjusted position. This meanscomprises an arcuare groove |35 .formed in an integral section o f the cam plate |25. As indicated in Fig. 9, this groove 'is provided with sides`|36 which slope inwardly.y :toward each other..l

f Anoperating lever or handle |38 extends above the cover plate on the forward face of the machine-andiszprovided with a shaft portion |39 extending downwardly through a hole in the cover 40. The shaft at the point of ypassage through y the'cover is provided with an overlyingextended portion|40 of increased diameter which serves to prevent any passage of material downwardly through the cover. A'lug 4| extends outwardly 1 means of a split collar- |44 and a tightening bolt` .75

fromsectionv42 of the cover and provides a lower Vbearing for theshaft.

|45. Also a set screw' |46-is provided in the collar upon the shaft.

'I'he radial arm at its outer end carries an upwardly extending pin |41 upon which is mounted a wedge shaped follower I 48.` A spring |49 presses the follower into operative relationship in the parts.

As indicated in Fig. 6,v the center of the circle of whichthe arcuate cam |35 is a part, is displaced from the axisfof shaft I39about which the follower |48 moves in a circular path. Accordingly as the shaft |39 is turned,`the follower correspondingly traverses an arcuate path, and a relative displacement of the cam will necessarily take place. Since motionof the' cam rplate `and associatedgage plate is' limited to thestraight groove |35 of the cam member, the spring serving AIso-maintain desired. frictional engagement of these line angular movement described above, the rotation of the yshaft |39 will therefore cause .thedesired adjusting movement of the gageplatecloser to'or farther from the plane of the rotary lmiie. The zero adjustment of the gage plate is easily obtained by loosening the set screw |46 and the 1 bolt |45, and rotating the shaft until the desired setting is obtained, whereupon by tightening the collar upon the shaft this adjustment will then be retained throughout the operation of the device.

An important feature of this adjustment mech- Aanism is that by reason oi the construction above described, the gage'plate will remain in any adjusted positionV regardless of any forces tending to-move it during normal operation` and additionalholding mechanism istherefore unnecessary. Furthermore, as the movement of th'e follower progresses in the cam plate, additional increments of movement toward therend of the automatic take-up for wear i in the adjusting .mechanism 'A calibrated scale |50 cooperating with the handle |38 is located on top of the cover member 40 in easily readable "position for the' operator, the

handle having an aperture |5| through which the scale is visible in conjunction with a rmarker |52.

f Mounted on top ofthe integral motor and driving-gear housing .23 is .a grinderibox base |60. A

. cover |||vv is pivotally mounted to cooperatezwith f sectionv |60 to completely enclose the grinding mechanism. The'base section |60 is formed' at the upper extremity of each s ide with outwardly extending supporting arms |62, |63 whichr are formed with holes to provide a supportv for bolts |64, |65. extending therethrough These bolts have threaded engagement at their forward ends I with bosses |66, |61 attached to the upper portion of the guard plate 45. .The cover section is formed with supporting lugs |69 and |10, the latter servring to pivotally support the cover on an extension .pass downwardly therethrough, and provides an of arm |63. Lug |69 is` open on its under side so that it slips over a corresponding extension on arm |62. When the bolts are tightened,-the inner face of the vguard plate is pulled up against the lugs which in turn labut against the respective armsA |62, |63 so that the grinder box cover and the knife guard plate are firmly held in position, but

are so formed that they can be easily disassembled.

for cleaning or the like. Arm |63 is also provided with an integral extension |1| which serves as a rest for the cover in open position.

The cover section is also formed integrally with a protective extending portion |15 adapted to overlie the exposed portion ofthe cutting knife between the guard plate and the gage plate. kThe oDDQslte side of the cover mounting also provides an attaching means for an arcuate shaped shield |16 extending around the exposed forward edge of the cutting knife, the lower end of this shield being attached over a dowel on the` top 'of the cover section 40.

The upper portion of the base or housing section |60 is slotted as shown at |80 and is adapted to receive a unitary grinder assembly |8i. This unit is provided with 'surfaces cooperating with the sides of the slot which permit free vertical movement of the unit in the slot while preventing other movement thereof. The unit comprises a sleeve |82 which has a threaded outer end |83 on which is mounted a holding nut |84.` The sleeve likewise is formed with 'a flange |85 adapted to bear against the inner face of the `housing member so that upon thetightening of the nut |84 against the outer face, the entire assembly is rigidly supported fromthe housing section and can be removed directly upward from the loosening of nut |84. A limiting pin |86 extending above the bottom of this slot |80 provides for returning the unit to a predetermined operative position following removal thereof for purposes of cleaning or the like. It will be understood that the limiting pin |86 will' be adjusted downward progressively with the wear of the rotary knife so that the grinding unit will always be maintained in proper operative position.

Slidably mounted inthe sleeve |82 is an operating rod |90. This rod extends beyond each end of the sleeve and a handle |9| is threadedly `mounted on one end.` The pin is provided with a central portion |82 of reduced diameter over which a spring |928* is placed. Adjacent each The nut also provides a guiding and supporting bearing for the pin |90. A single spring thus serves to return the pin to neutral position when displaced axially in either direction, as movement in either direction `from that shown will cause a compression of the spring which upon release of `thel operating handle will return the pin to neutral position. s

The pin carries a yoke 200 in which a grinding disc 20| and a burrng disc 202 are suitably journaled. As indicated in Fig. 4, the grinding disc 20| isA located on the rearward side of the knife while the burring disc 202 extends over the outer face of the knife. A pin 203 fastened to sleeve |82 extends into a slot 204 in the yoke member and prevents rotation thereof while permitting free axial movement.

With the parts in the normalposition lther is sufficient clearance between the knife and both Vdiscs so that neither disc is in operative engagement. However, upon a forward motion of the handle |8| the grinding disc 20| is brought into engagement with the knife. In this movement the spring |925 is compressed so that when the handle is released the grinder is retracted and the device returns to its normal position. Upon the opposite or a pulling movement of the handle |5| the pin-moves the opposite way, and the burring disc is brought into action. Likewise upon release of the handle.the compressed spring will return the parts to their normal position with both discs out of engagement. Thus a very simple `grinding device is provided in which a single spring serves toreturn the parts to their normal position for both the burring and the grinding action.

a. pin` 205 is mounted uponthe slidable yoke 200 and cooperateswith raised ribs 206 formed integrally with the cover member. vent movement of the yoke with the grinding wheels in either direction when the cover is in place, and it is only by throwing the covei` back that the grinder device can be operated. In case the user does not want this interlock feature but wants to'operatethe grinder with the cover in closed position, the pin 205 may be removed.

vWhile the form of apparatus herein described constitutes` a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this precise` form of apparatus, and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A slicing machine of the character described adapted to rest upon the surface of a supporting member comprising `an imperforate base member, said base member having'a rigid peripheral flange extending around the outside thereof and adapted to contact a supporting surface in sealing and part supporting relation thereto, and supporting members for the base comprising a plurality of resilient members adapted to support a portion of the weight of the machineand having a greater coefficient of friction than said base material to provide resistance to slipping and so constructed as to deform to permit said flange to rest in sealing and parte supporting relation on the supporting surface.

2. A slicing machine of the character described adapted to rest upon the surface of a supporting member comprising a unitary base member of relatively light weight material, said base membei!` having a rigid peripheral sealing flange extending around the outsidethereof, and additional means preventing slipping of the base comprising a plurality of frictional elements adapted to support a portion of the weight of the machine and having a greater coeflicient of friction than -said base material to provide resistance to slipping and so constructed as to permit said flange to rest in sealing and partsupporting relation on.the supporting surface.

3. A slicing machine of the character described adapted to rest upon the surface of a supporting member comprising a unitary base member formed of a relatively light weight material,

These ribs presaidjfbase member being kprovided with a rigid peripheral sealing flangaand a plurality of rub- I ber frictional ,elements adaptedv tosupport a portion of the'weight of the machine to prevent slipping of the machine, the peripheral flange supporting the remainder of the weightof the machine so that it is, maintained in sealing relationship with the surmortin'g` member and access of foreign'- material underneath the base is prevented. f

4. AV slicing machine of the character described comprising la basata rotary knife, a plurality of slide rods spacedapart and lying in a Agenerally horizontal plane, a mainframe memberv forming an lmperforate cover yoverlying ,said rodsand having side portions extending downwardly below the ylevelof said rods vto prevent passage of ,material thereonto, a work supporting carriage extending across the to'p of lsaid cover to a position closely adjacent said knife said carriagealso having a portion extending laterally beyond said covermember in the directiony away from said knife, andv a cantilever constructionV including means extending beneath said imperforate cover on the side remote from said knife and connecting with said portion vof lthe carriageextending beyond the cover member for' supporting ,said

carriage in operative positionfadjacent said rotary knife andoveilying said vimperforate cover, the carriage being supported in such position Y `that the force of gravity of the carriage and of the work material thereon acts-in the direction to tilt the carriage toward the knife.

5. A slicing machine of the character described comprisingv a plurality of slide rods,`r a cover adapted to overlie said rodsv andto prevent passage ofmaterial downwardly thereonto, a supporting member s lidably mounted upon said rods and Vextending laterally beyond said cover, said member being formed with guiding and supporting surfaces, ya'work supporting carriage, means .on said supporting member forreceiving saidy kcarriage and for holding said carriage'tempo.--

rarily in operative'position upon the placing `of the carriage on the` supporting memberyand additional means for permanently attaching said Y carriageto 'said supporting member.`

I 5,0sage of material downwardly 'thereontd a 'sup- 6. A slicing machine of the character described comprising ai plurality of .slide rods,y a cover adapted to overlie said rods and tov prevent pasporting member slidably mounted upon said rods and extending laterally beyond said cover, said member being formed With'top and side guiding and supporting surfaces, a supporting member extending forwardly from said side face, and a Vwork" supporting carriage adapted tobe mounted upon saidmember and to overlie said cover,

said carriage being formedwith cooperating angularly related guiding and supporting surfaces 'f and having a slot adapted to cooperate with said member, whereby said carriage is held in place in operative position upon said supporting member, and additional means .for fastening said carrlagein said operative position.

7. A slicing machine of the character described comprising a base, a rotary knife, a work supporting carriage, means for supporting-said carriage to provide for reciprocating movement with' Vrelation to said knife, said carriage comprising Va trough havingone face adaptedto s'erve as a Work supporting platform and another face extending substantially perpendicular thereto 1against which Vthe Work is held in normal operating position, and a pusher plate mounted within saidcarriage, 'said pusher plate having means on its work engaging face so constructed as to offer greaterresistance to movement of the `work away from its normal position than to movementof the work toward its normal position, whereby the Work is `adapted to be held firmly in the desired position during the'slicing operation, said meansfcomprising a plurality of ribs each extending substantially across the face 'of said,` pusher plate, the leading face of the ribs a on the cutting stroke being inclined to the plane of the pusher plate and the rearward'face of saidribs being substantially normal thereto.

8. A slicing machine vof the vcharacter 'described n comprising a rotary knife, a gage plate, a work supporting carriage, means for supporting said carriage comprising a plurality 'of horizontally extending rods, an lmperforate cover overlying said rods and adapted to prevent passage of material downwardly thereonto, means for adjustably supporting said gage plate from one side of said cover, said cover extending into the plane of said gage plate and preventing the pas- ,.sage of foreign matter therebetween, said'means being located above said rods and lyingbelow the level of' saiacarriage to permit unorsuucted movement of said carriage, and a control member located on said coverforleffecting adjustment of said means.

9. A slicing machine of the character describedA comprising a base,-an` adjustable gage plate, a plurality of slide rods supported from said base, a cover overlying and concealing slide rods, means for supporting said gage ,plate from' said cover andai; one side thereof in close juxtaposi- Y tion preventing passage of foreign matter therebetween,va work supporting carriage,fand means for supporting said carriage from beneath the opposite side of said `cover to overlie said c'over and provide for `reciprocating movement thereof comprising a slidable member journaled on said rodsand extending laterally beyond said cover, means mounted on said cover below the level of said carriage for adjustably positioning said supporting means and said gage plate and gage plate adjusting mechanism located entirely within andabove said rods and below said carriage.

10. A slicing machinek of thewcharacter described comprising a gage plate, a work supporting. carriage, a plurality of slide rods on which said carriage is mounted, a cover adapted to overlie said rods to protect the same against access of material'downwardly thereto, .a base for supporting said'gage plate slidably mounted on said cover, means on said base and said cover providingfor guiding said gage plate in a predetermined path, and operative connections located on said cover and having a control member for said gage plate' adjustably mounted guiding s'aid base and said gage plate in a predetermined path, and means under the control of the operator for positioning said gage plate as desired including an `arcuate cam member ymounted on said slidable base, a radial follower cooperating with said cam, the center of said i on said base whereby said gage plate is guided and supported in sliding relation to said member,

and means for adjustably positioning said gage plate comprising an arcuate groove on said base, a pivoted operating handle extending through ysaid member and provided with a follower adapted to seat within said groove, the center of said arcuate groove being displaced from` the. `axisof said handle, whereby upon pivoted movement of said handle resultant displacement of said base together with said gage plate is produced.

13. A slicing machine of the character. described comprising a rotary knife, a gageplate, a gage plate base for supporting said gage plate, means for guiding said base and said gage plate in a predetermined path, and means for adjustably positioning said gage plate with respect to4 said rotary knife and retaining said gage `plate in such adjusted position including an arcuate cam member associated with said gage 'plate base, said cam member being provided with a groove having side surfaces sloping toward each other, an operating handle provided with a radial follower adapted to seat within said groove,

said follower being formed with cooperating wedge shaped surfaces, spring means for urging said follower into operative engagement with said groove, the 'center of said groove being dis- 4placed from the axis of said handle, whereby upon movement of said handle resultant displacement of the basevtogether with the gage plate is produced.

14. A slicing machine of the4 character described comprising a base, a main frame member mounted upon said base, a rotary knife, said knife being formed with a central recessed portion, a guard plate extending Within the recessed portion of said knife, means for supporting said guard plate `from said frame member, said frame member being formed to slope downwardly from in front of said knife to a ,point in the rear thereof forming a through cleaning passage so as to discharge Acrumbs vand the like toward the rear of the knife, said guard plate' extending closely adjacent and radially beyondr the periphery of the knife a limited distance toward the sloping portion of said member to act as a guard for both the front and rear faces of said knife while maintaining said through cleaning' passage substantially unobstructed.

15. A slicing machine of the character described comprising a base, a rotary knife, a frame member extending beneath said knife, said member being formed with av recessed portion underlying said knife providing for the receptionV of scraps and the like, said recessed portion extending from the front face of the knife to the rear face thereof and affording free access for cleaning from the rear vof the knife, and a guard member positioned closely adjacent the front face of the knifel and extending vdownwardly toward said recess and radially beneath the periphery of the knife edge, the downwardly extending part of said guard member being spaced above said recessed portion of the frame and providing the sole protectionfor said knife during the cleaning .of said recess from the rear thereof.

16. A slicing machine of the character described comprising a base, a rotary knife supported from said base, acarageadapted to support the material to be sliced by the knife. guide rods located in a generally horizontal plane,

`a generally planeA imperforate cover overlying .'said guide rods and extending .substantially adjacent the plane of said-knife and having a depending marginal flange, a slide member mounted on said guide rods and having a portion extending below and laterally beyondsaid flange and projecting upwardly to a level not substantially above said cover, said carriage having a `downwardly extending` supporting part adapted to be received upon the extended portion of the slide in quickly detachable relation y able over said cover and providing for maintaining the imperforate 4character of said cover to passage of material between said cover and said gage plate, adjusting means for said gage plate supporting means m'ounted on and protected against access of food particles by said cover, l

a work supporting carriage, and means extending from beneath said cover on the side remote from said knife for supporting said carriage from said rods in overhanging relation with respect to said cover.

'18. A slicing machine of the character 'de- :scribed comprising a base, a rotary knife, a gage stantiallyhorizontal plane, said cover extending in effective enclosing relation beneath said gage plate and said knife, a gage plate supporting member movable over said cover and providing for maintaining the imperforate character of said cover to passage of material between said cover and said gage plate, a supporting member slidably mounted upon said rods beneath said cover and extending laterally beyond said cover on the side remote from said knife, a work supporting carriage, and means for supporting said carriage Aupon said member in operative position with respect` to the knife with the greater part of said carriage overlying said cover.

19. A slicing machine of the Ycharacter described comprising a base, a rotary knife, a work supporting carriage, means for supporting said carriage to provide for reciprocating movement thereof with relation to said knife,l and a pusher plate within said carriage, said pusher plate having a plurality of ribs each extending'substantially across the face thereof in a direction generally normal to the supporting surface of said carriage, said ribs having a forward face inclined tothe plane of the piateand e 'rearward talee a substantial. portion o! the tace thereof, said v normal thereto. Y A ribs paving a longitudinally extending forward 20. A slicinzmachine oi the d e-J.. l.-iace inclined totheplanevoitheyplnte and a. scribed comprising a bese. n rotary knife, a work similarly extending 'rearward face 'substantially Y` 5 supporting carriage. means for supporting said normal to the plane oft-the plete. said faces of 5' carriage to provide for reeiprocating movement each seid rib extending toward and terminating thereof with relation torsaid knife. and o. pusher'Y ,clnsoiyvldiaoent eachother; i l. y1918.150 Withinald carriage, Baldy pusher plate DAVIDAMEEKER.

having a pluralityof ru across A.101m c. summe. 

